Roche: Happy Opening Day Red Sox Fans!
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox have set their 2015 Opening Day roster on and there are no real surprises as the Sox face the Phillies in Philadelphia at 3 p.m.
PITCHERS (12): Craig Breslow, Clay Buchholz, Tommy Layne, Justin Masterson, Wade Miley, Edward Mujica, Alexi Ogando, Rick Porcello, Robbie Ross Jr., Junichi Tazawa, Anthony Varvaro, and Steven Wright.
CATCHERS (2): Ryan Hanigan and Sandy Leon.
INFIELDERS (6): Xander Bogaerts, Brock Holt, Mike Napoli, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and Pablo Sandoval.
OUTFIELDERS (5): Mookie Betts, Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Hanley Ramirez, and Shane Victorino.
As expected, Koji Uehara (hamstring) is on the disabled list. Expect Edward Mujica to take over as the closer, although John Farrell could mix and match at times. Uehara is not expected to be out long, with just a few minor league appearances expected.
Of course, the Sox will also have to overcome the long-term loss of Christian Vazquez at catcher. 34-year-old Ryan Hannigan gets the bulk of time and is more than capable. Health is the biggest issue.
The Sox will feature David Ortiz as their Opening Day first baseman with Mike Napoli on the bench. That's what playing in a National League ballpark does. By the way, I wish they would make both leagues follow the same rules and use a designated hitter. I have always liked the DH.
It should be fun to watch Opening Day starter Clay Buchholz. He's healthy and confident, which bodes well for Boston. Can he keep healthy the whole season? That's the key because he has Cy Young stuff.
Do you think Cole Hamels will be motivated Monday?
The Phillies opening day starter was almost certainly headed to Boston this off season, right? It's time to show the Sox what they're missing.
Happy Opening Day folks. It's about time.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
98.5 The Sports Hub's Fred Toucher and CSNNE's Trenni Kusnierek (filling in for the sick Rich) had on WBZ-TV's Dan Roche Monday morning live from Philadelphia, where he's covering Opening Day for the Red Sox. Roche previews the interleague series and the upcoming season as well.
Listen below:
